Photographic apparatus



Sept. 17, 1963 N. G. BUDDE PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 3, 1962 FIGI z INVENTOR W2 W.

ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 N.-G. BUDDE PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 7Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 3, 1962 ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 N. G. BUDDEPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 5, 1962 4 ATTORNEYSSept. 17, 1963 N. G. BUDDE PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledJuly 3, 1962 \I l I II 262 26O\ 258 256 F 6. I6

db g zzvvgng gzi ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 N. G. BUDDE 3,103,866

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 w 2 INVENEZR@zE-Q ATTORNEYS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 7h, mrvswyog $41M- ATTORNEYS Sept. 17,1963 N. G. BUDDE PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed July :5, 1962 UnitedStates Patent ware Filed .lniy 3, 1962, Ser. No. 2il7,l86 13 Ciaims.(fill. 95-75) This invention relates to photographic apparatus andparticularly to apparatus for exposing and thereafter processing asuccession of areas of a photographic image-re cording sheet.

There are a number of different types of photographic apparatusincluding, for example, cameras and documentcopying apparatus, in whicha photosensitive image-recording sheet is moved intermittently and asuccession of areas thereof are exposed and then treated with a fluid toproduce a visible image. The particular apparatus which is the concernof this application includes a pair of juxtaposed members forsuperposing successive exposed areas of the image-recording sheet with asecond sheet and distributing a processing fluid between the sheets toform a sandwich as the sheets are moved through the apparatus betweenthe juxtaposed members. Predetermined lengths of the sheets are movedintermittently through the apparatus and preferably between thejuxtaposed members directly from the apparatus. Movement of the sheetsis accomplished by engaging portions of the sandwich extending betweenthe juxtaposed members (from the apparatus) and drawing the sheetsthrough the apparatus between the juxtaposed members, with the motivepower for this operation being supplied manually.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type describedincluding a device operable manually for engaging the sandwichcomprising a pair of juxtaposed sheets and advancing successivepredetermined lengths of the sheets through and from the apparatus.

Other objects of the invention are: to provide a device .as describedincluding means for severing predetermined lengths of the sandwich fromother portions of the sandwich projecting from between the juxtaposedmembers which cooperate to form the sandwich; and a device as describedsupported on the exterior of the apparatus, in which it is incorporated,for reciprocal movement relative to the juxtaposed members between whichthe sandwich is withdrawn from the apparatus.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, whichare exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of photographic apparatus in the form ofa document copier embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view URE 1 taken through a tween the sidesthereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing theapparatus of FIGURE 1 with the housing thereof open and components inone of the operative positions thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of components of the apparatus;

FIGS. 5 through are fragmentary perspective views, partially in section,illustrating details of the construction of the apparatus;

of the apparatus of FIG- plane substantially midway behliid dh PatentedSept. l7, i953 FIGS. 11 through 15 are elevational views of componentsof the mechanism of the apparatus illustrating the operation of theapparatus;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus;and

FIG. 17 is .a fragmentary plan view partially in section showingcomponents of the apparatus.

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein there is illustratedphotographic apparatus in the form of a document-copying deviceincorporating the invention. The doctu'nent copier shown differs fromother forms of photographic exposure and processing apparatus, such ascameras, by virtue of the inclusion of means for superposing an originaldocument to be copied with a photosensitive image-recordiug sheet andexposing the original and image-recording sheet to produce an imagerecord of the original. With the exception of the means for handling theoriginal and the exposure device, the invention is capable ofincorporation into apparatus such as a camera in either substantiallythe same form or a less compiex and more simplified form, for performingsubstantially the same functions in the same manner.

The document-copying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 of thedrawings comprises a generally parallelepiped-shaped housing designated10 including an upper wall 12, lower wall 14, side walls 16 and endwalls 18 and 20. The housing is formed in two sections designated anupper section 22 and a lower section 24*, pivo-t able with respect toone another between a closed or 0perative position shown in FlGURE 1 andan open or inoperative position shown in FIG. 3, to permit loading ofphotographic materials into the housing. The mating portions of the sideand end walls of the upper and lower housing sections are formed withengaging shoulders to prevent the admission of light into the housingwhen the housing is in closed position. The upper section of the housingis provided with two passages termed an entrance passage 26 and an exitpassage 28 through which original documents are introduced into andwithdrawn from the apparatus. The entrance passage, located closest toend wall 18, includes walls 30 converging to a narrow gap for guidingoriginal documents into the housing into superposition with animage-recording sheet. Exit passage 28 is located adjacent entrancepassage 26 between the latter and end wall 20 and is defined by walls 32which guide original documents from the housing following exposure insuperposition with an image-recording sheet. The lower section of thehousing includes an end wall 33 located inwardly from end wall 20 sothat the end of the upper housing section overhangs the lower housingsection. End wall 33 is provided with a withdrawal opening 35 throughwhich sheet materials treated within the apparatus can be withdrawntherefrom.

The document-copying apparatus, or a camera, incorporating the inventionis of the type in which a succession of areas of a photosensitiveimage-recording sheet are photoexposed to produce images therein andeach area, following exposure, is superposed with an area of a secondsheet, and a liquid is distributed between the superposed areas of thetwo sheets to form a sandwich in which the image-recording sheet isprocessed to form a visible image. The preferred processing involves theexposure of an image-recording sheet comprising a gelatino silver halidecarried on a flexible support sheet, and treatment of the emulsion witha liquid to produce a silver transfer image on the second sheet by asilver halide diffusiontransfer reversal process. For examples ofmaterials useful in such processes, reference may be had to U.S. PatentNo. 2,543,181, issued February 27, 1951, in the name of Edwin H. Land.

The housing of the apparatus is intended primarily as a light-tightenclosure for the operating components of the apparatus which, for themost part, are mounted on two frame members enclosed within the twohousing sections and movable with respect to one another together withthe housing sections to permit loading of materials into the apparatus.These frame members include a lower frame 34 comprising a base plate 36and a pair of side plates 38- and all extending upwardly from the baseplate which rests on lower wall 14 of lower housing section 24. An upperframe 42 is provided comprising a base plate 44 disposed adjacent upperwall 12 of upper housing section 22 and having two pairs of lateralsupport members 46 and 48 dependent from base plate 44; The upper andlower support frames are best illustrated in FIG. 4 in which they areshown in the operative position of the apparatus in which support member48 is located outermost. Support members 46 are located innermost, andeach of side plates 38 and 48 is disposed between support members 46 and48. Suitable means may be provided coupling the side plates and supportmembers of the upper and lower frames for pivotal moveent with respectto one another or in an alternative embodiment, the upper and lowerhousing sections may be pivoted, and the trames may be mounted on thehousing sections. Base plate 44 of upper frame 32 is provided with anopening 5d through which portions of the housing, including walls 30 and32 defining passages 26 and 28, extend.

As previously indicated, the document-copying apparatus is designed toproduce copies of original documents by a photographic process involvingthe exposure of a photosensitive image-recording sheet. Exposure of thephotosensitive sheet maybe either of rtwo different types, i.e., reflexor direct. Direct exposure of the photosensitive material describes anexposure process in which the light is transmitted through the originalto the photosensitive material and is useful when the original hassubject matter on only one side and the material comprising the originalis transmissive to light lactinic to the photosensitive material. Whenthe original has subject matter on both sides or is not transmissive toactinic light, the reflex exposure is used; and this involvestranscmitting the actinic light through the photosensitive sheet to thesurface (of the original) to be copied which reflects some of the lightback to the photosensitive material further exposing the photosensitivematerial to form an image therein. 7

The photosensitive imageaecording sheet, designated 52, is in the formof an elongated web or strip of sufficient length to make a plurality ofcopies and is mounted on a spool 54 of conventional design and includingshafts on its end engaged for pivotal movement in mounting clamps 56supported on side plates 38 land so of the lower frame near end wall118. A supply of a second or imagereceiving sheet 58 preferably equal inwidth and length [to the photosensitive sheet is coiled on aconventional spool 60 including shafts at its ends pivotally engaged inmounting clamps '62 supported on side plates 38 and 40 adjacent theopposite end of lower frame 34 from spool 54 and located so that spool69 is disposed within the upper, overhanging portion of the housingclosely adjacent upper wall 12 and end wall 20*.

The apparatus includes means for subjecting the imagerecording sheet toboth reflex and direct types of exposure comprising two sources ofillumination and means for conducting the photosensitive sheet and anoriginal in superposition past the sources of illumination to effectexposure of the photosensitive sheet. The sources of illumination areessentially the same and may comprise incandescent lamps, gas dischargelamps, fluorescent lamps and electroluminescent sources of light. Ineach case, however, the light reaching the photosensitive material isemitted from an elongated member at least equal in length to the widthof the image-recording sheet and extending transversely of the path ofmovement of [the image-recording sheet past the light source. In theform shown, each light source is of the electroluminescent typecomprising an electroluminescent phosphor and electrodes through whichcurrent is passed for exciting the phosphor to light emission. The lightemitting electroluminescent sources each comprising the phosphor andelectrodes, designated with the reference numeral 64, are elongated,extending from side to side of the image-recording sheet; and each ismounted within a channel-shaped support member 66 in position to emitlight toward the other electroluminescent source. One of theelectroluminescent sources and the channel in which it is mounted aremounted on lower frame 34 between side plates- 38 and 48 while the otherelectrolmninescent source and channel are mounted on upper frame 42between support members 46; The phosphor comprising eachelectroluminescent source is selected to emit light, actinic to thephotosensitive material comprising the image-recording sheet preferablywithin the visible wave length range, and of uniform intensitythroughout the length of the electroluminescent source.

The document-copying device includes means for guiding photosensitivesheet 52 from spool 54 in position for exposure between the twoelectroluminescent light sources and for superpositioning an original tobe copied with the photosensitive sheet during movement thereof relativeto and between the light sources during exposure of the image-recordingsheet. These guide means comprise a cylindrical tube 68 disposed insurrounding relation to the upper electroluminescent light source on andthe channel 66 in which it is mounted. Tube 68 is formed of a materialtransparent to actinic light such as glass or organic plastic materialsand is mounted forrotation about its axis in a manner to be described.Distribution of a processing liquid between an exposed area of theimage-recording sheet and an area of second sheet 58 superposedtherewith is accomplished by moving the sheets in superpositionbetween apair of juxtaposed pressureapplying members shown herein as rolls 70 and72. The motive power for rotating feed roll 78 is derived from thephotosensitive sheet at tube 68 which is rotated by the photosensitivesheet and in turn drives roll 78 through a transmission so as to advanceon original document from the apparatus passage 28 following exposure ofa photosensitive sheet in superposition with the original. Roll 78 ismounted for rotation about its axis on support members 46 and isconnected through an overrunning clutch 89' and a shaft 90 to a crank orknob 92 located outside of the housing in position to be grasped androtated manually. Knob 92 may be rotated in a clockwise directionviewing FIGS. 4 through 6 for rotating roll 78 so as to feed an originaldocument through passage 26 into the apparatus. In the operation of thedevice, the leading edge of an original, held in one hand, is introducedinto passage 26 into the bite of rolls 78 and 80; and knob 92 is rotatedwith the other hand to advance the original into the housing betweentube 68 and photosensitive sheet 52. This now leaves both of theoperators hands free to operate the apparatus since it is no longernecessary to hold or support the original position within passage 26 tobe drawn into the apparatus. A commutator and contacts, designated 288,are provided coupled with roll 72 for operating the light source. Tube68 and the light source and channel enclosed within the tube are mountedat their ends on support plates 94 each mounted in turn on a supportmember 46 by a pair of shoulder screws 96 threaded into a support member46- and engaged in a slot 98 in support plate 94 thereby permittinglimited movement of the support plate and tube 68 with respect to roll-s78, 80 and 82 mounted on support members 46. Each of support plates 94is biased by a spring 100 urging tube 68 downwardly away from roll 78;and includes a downwardly extending portion on the lower extremity ofwhich is mounted a hub 102. Each end of channel 66, located within tube68, is secured to a support sleeve 10 i engaged in hub 102; Extendingthrough each of sleeve 104 is an insulating sleeve 1G6 surrounding anelectrical connector ltd for supplying current to the electroluminescentlight sour e. Tube 6:3 is mounted on hubs lit) at its ends, and these,in turn, are mounted for rotation on the inner ends of hub-s 102. One ofhubs 1-10 comprises a pulley. Another pulley, designated H2, is coupledwith roll 78, and an O-ring 114i is provided for coupling the twopulleys so that rotation imparted to either tube 6% or roll 78 istransmitted to the other. By virtue of this arrangement, when thephotosensitive sheet is moved through the apparatus to be exposed andprocessed, tube 68 is rotated in turn rotating rolls 78, Si? and S2 toadvance the original from the apparatus through passage 28 while knob 92outside of the housing remains stationary as a result of the coupling ofthe knob to 'roll '78 through overrunning clutch 89, shown incorporatedinto pulley 112.

The movable mounting of tube es on support plates @4- in turn mounted onupper frame 42 insures both the right tension or O-ring 114 and theproper positioning of the tube with respect to guide roll 74 and roll 72mounted on lower frame 34 when the two frames are pivoted into operativeposition. Guide roll 74 and roll 72 are mounted in fixed position sothat the tube free to move into proper position when engaged between thetwo rolls upon movement of the frames into operative position.

Each successive area of the photosensitive sheet is adv-anced betweenpressure-applying rolls 7t) and 7:2 in superposition with second sheet5'3 and a liquid processing composition is distributed between thesheets. Each of rolls 7t) and 72, in the form shown, comprises a rigidcylindrical metal core with an outer covering of an el'astomericmaterial. Roll 72 is mounted in fixed position between side plates 38and 2-19 while roll 7b is mounted with its axis in the same plane as theaxis of roll '72 for movement toward and away from roll '72. As a meansfor mounting roll 7d, there are provided a pair of arms 230 eachpivotally mounted at one end on a side plate 38 or 4b with roll 7%journaled at its ends in the other ends of arms 230. Tension springs 234 are provided coupled between each of arms 23%; and the side plate [38or 43'] on which the arm is mounted "for urging roll 7d downward towardroll '72 into juxtaposition with the latter tor applying compressivepressure to the photosensitive and second sheets as the latter areadvanced in superposition between rolls 7% and 72.

The processing liquid is provided between the sheets on at least one ofthe sheets in the vicinity of the bite of rolls 7d and '72 and isdistributed bet. een and in contact with the sheets at the bite of therolls as the sheets are advanced therebetween. In the document-copyingapparatus shown, the processing liquid for each exposed area of thephotosensitive sheet is provided on second sheet 5%; in the form of anelongated mass extending from side to side of the second sheet near theleading edge of the area of the second sheet which is superposed withthe exposed area of the photosensitive sheet. Second sheet extends fromspool so around a portion of the periphery of roll 7t into superpositionwith photosensitive sheet 52 at the bite of rolls 7b and 72, and it ison the portion of the second sheet extending between spool on and roll7% that this mass of processing liquid is provided for subsequentdistribution between the sheets. As the two sheets are advanced, themass of processing liquid is carried by the second sheet into the biteof rolls 7t? and '72 where it is caused to be advanced relative to andin contact with the sheets toward the trailing end of the exposed areaof the photosensitive sheet. Some of the liquid adheres to the facingsurfaces of the sheets and is carried between the pressure-applyingrolls and serves to adhere the two sheets together to form a sandwich.Only a portion of the mass of liquid provided for processing eachexposed area of the photosensitive sheet is carried by the sheetsbetween the pressure-applying rolls so that a quantity of the liquid mayremain between the sheets at the bite of the rolls after an exposed areaof the photosensitive sheet has passed between the pressure-applyingrolls.

The processing liquid required for each exposed area of thephotosensitive sheet is supplied in an elongated tubular container verymuch like a conventional drinking straw; although in a camera or othertype of processing apparatus, the processing liquid may be provided inrupturable containers attached to one of the sheets or it may bedispersed from a fixed device. This container, designated 12% in FIG. 2,contains a cavity of substantially round cross section approximatelyequal in length to the width of the exposed area of the photosensitivesheet and filled with the processing liquid. The liquid-filled portionof the container is sealed at both ends to prevent escape of the liquidand the admission of air into the container and the seal at one end ofthe container, termed the trailing end, is constructed so as to becomeunsealed, in response to the generation of hydraulic pressure within theliquid, to form a discharge mouth, preferably equal in area to the crosssectional area of the liquid-filled cavity, through which the fluidcontents of the container are discharged. Containers of this type, theirconstruction and function are described in detail in the copending US.application of Edwin H. Land, Serial No. 820,266, filed June 15, 1959,now Patent Number 3,047,387.

The apparatus includes means for allowing the container to be introducedinto the apparatus so that it extends across and adjacent a portion ofsecond sheet 53 in the position shown in FIG. 2 located above sheet 58.These means comprise a funnel-shaped tube 122 mounted between supportmembers 46 and 48 with its flared end opening outside of the housing andwith its narrow, tubular end disposed within the housing to the insideof support member 46. Tube 122 is positioned for guiding container 12%into the housing into the position shown with the container extendingacross the second sheet from side to side thereof. Introductory movementof the container may be arrested by a stop provided on the supportmember 46 located on the opposite side of the apparatus from tube 122with the trailing end of the container located at substantially inalignment with the lateral edge of the area of the second sheet incontact with which the liquid is to be distributed. The fluid contentsof the container are ejected therefrom in the form of a uniformlydistributed elongated mass extending across the second sheet bycompressing the container at a location adjacent the inner end of tube122 and the lateral edge of the area of the second sheet to be treatedand withdrawing the container, while applying compressive pressure toit, across the second sheet through the tube 122 from the housing.

Means are provided within the housing mounted on support member 46 forengaging and applying compressive pressure to the container duringwithdrawal movement thereof. These means comprise a backing member 124mounted in fixed position on support member 46 adjacent one side of theopening at the inner end of tube 122. A compression member 126 ismounted for pivotal movement intermediate its ends on supportmember 46.The inner end of compression member 126 is movable toward and away fromthe inner end of backing member 124 for engaging and compressing thecontainer between the inner ends of members 124 and 126.

The apparatus includes means actuated by rotation of knob 92 forpivoting compression member 126 toward backing member 124 to compressthe container during withdrawal thereof across the second sheet betweenthe backing and compression members. These means are responsive to therotation of knob 92 for moving the backing and compression memberstoward one another as an original document is being fed into theapparatus and comprise a cam 12% mounted on shaft 9% intermediatesupport members 46 and 48. Knob 92 and shaft 9:) are designed to berotated through 'for feeding an origi- 7 nal into the apparatus with aspring disc and two balls, being provided within knob 92 for limitingthe movement of the knob and shaft. Cam 128 coacts with one armdesignated 13% of a V-shaped crank 132 including a second arm 134 andmounted for pivotal movement at the apex of arms 15% and hers 46 and 48.Arm 13 i is connected to an end of compression member 126 by a spring138 and crank 132 is biased by a torsion spring (not shown) in acounterclockwise direction viewing FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG.11 to retain arm 13th in contact with cam 128. When cam 12% is pivotedto the position shown in FIG. 12 crank 132 is pivoted by the cam in acounterclockwise direction viewing FIG. 12, applying tension to spring138 for pivoting compression member 126 to move the end thereof oppositespring 138 toward backing member 124. Spring 13$ is provided as aconnection between arm 134 and compression member 126 to insure theapplication of a uniform predetermined pressure on the containerregardless of the manner in which cam 128 is rotated, and this pressureis designed to compress the pod sumciently to cause the completeejection of its fluid contents while not engaging the pod so firmly asto prevent its withdrawal between the compression and backing members.

Crank 132 is pivoted during the initial operation of the apparatus priorto exposure of an area of the photosensi tive sheet to be treated withthe liquid contents of the container which is being compressed by therotation of crank 132, and accordingly, means are provided for retainingcrank 132 in the pivoted position so that the compression member and thebacking member retain their grip on the container until after withdrawalof the container from the apparatus. These means comprise a latch memberMil pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a stud 14-2 supported onone of support members 48. Latch member 140 is biased for rotation (in aclockwise direction viewing FIG. 7counterclockwise viewing FIGS. 11through 14) and is pivotable in a clockwise direction from its restposition shown in FIG. 11. Latch member 146 is provided with a pin 144,which in the rest position of the latch member is located against theend of arm 134, the latter being inclined so as to coact with pin 144-to pivot latch member 140 in a clockwise direction when cam 128 ispivoted through 90 to rotate crank 132 in a counterclockwise directionas shown in FIG. 12. After the end of arm 134 has moved past and fromengagement with pin 144, latch member 140 returns in a counterclockwisedirection, as shown in FIG. 12, to its original position with pin 144-underlying the end of arm 134 and preventing clockwise movement of crank132. Means including a second pin 146 on the opposite end of latchmember 14% are provided for preventing counterclockwise motion of thelatch member past its position of rest and from its latch position andwill be described more fully hereinafter.

As previously noted, the photosensitive and second sheets are movedthrough the apparatus to expose and process the sheets and to operatethe apparatus by engaging a portion of a sandwich comprising thesuperposed sheets and drawing the sandwich between roll'lt] and 72 (tothe right) viewing FIG. 2 through opening 35 in end wall 33. Movement ofthe sheets is a manual operation, and means are provided operablemanually for gripping the sandwich and drawing it between rolls 7t and72 through opening 35. The length of the sandwich drawn at any timebetween the pressure-applying rolls is predetermined and includes anexposed area of the photosensitive sheet, an equal length of the secondsheet and additional lengths of the two sheets intermediate the exposedarea of the photosensitive sheet. These additional lengths, kept to aminimum because they represent waste, are necessary to provide a leaderat the leading end of the exposed area 70 and '72 and beyond the rolls asufiicient length to detent means 93, comprising 13 i on a stud 136supported between support mem-' which extends from tube 68 between rollspermit engagement of the sandwich and to collect any processing liquiddistributed past the trailing end of the exposed area. The means forgripping a sandwich and withdrawing it between the pressure-applyingrolls also cooperate to meter the lengths of the two sheets advancedthrough the apparatus and between the pressure-applying rolls duringexposure and processing of each successive exposed area of thephotosensitive sheet.

Spool 60, on which is coiled a supply of second sheet 58 is located in aportion of the upper housing section 22 of housing iii adjacent end wall20 which overhangs the lower section 24 of the housing, the latterterminating in the region of rolls 70 and '72 at end Wall 33 althoughside walls 16 on the lower housing section extend to end wall 20. Themeans for gripping and advancing the sandwich ,is mounted under thisoverhanging portion of the upper housing section between side walls 116and is movable reciprocally with respect to rolls 7t and 72 between aposition underlying the portion of the housing adjacent end Wall 33 to aposition remote from the pressure-applying roll and apart from thehousing. These means comprise a frame or carriage, generally designated148, including lateral support members spaced from one another by adistance greater than the width of the sheets and a transverse member152 joining the support members and cooperating to provide a passagethrough which the sandwich is moved relative to the carriage. Transversemember 152 includes a manually engageable outer end section 156 and aninner end section bent upwardly and back upon itself to form a fixedgripping jaw 158. law 158 is at least equal in length to the width ofthe sandwich, extends transversely of the direction of movement of thesandwich and has a gripping surface located, at the retracted positionof the carriage shown in FIG. 2, closely adjacent pressure-applying roll72 and the lower side of the path of movement of the sandwich betweenthe pressure-applying rolls. The upper surface of gripping jaw 158,which faces the path of movement of the sheets, is designed to contactthe photosensitive sheet and may be provided with a suitably roughenedor serrated configuration to prevent slippage of the sandwich whengripped.

The gripping means include another gripping member movable toward andaway from gripping jaw 158. This movable gripping member designated 160includes an elongated gripping jaw 162 disposed in juxtaposition withjaw 158, at least equal in length to jaw 158 and having a lower grippingsurface facing the gripping surface of jaw 158, l0cated adjacent and tothe opposite side of the path of movement of the sandwich and roughenedor serrated in a manner complementary to jaw 158 so as to cooperate withthe latter for preventing slippage of the sandwich. Jaw 162 is mountedat itsends on a pair of arms 164 in turn pivotally mounted on shafts 166pivotally mounted on lateral support members 150 of can riage 148. Jaw162 is thus pivotable toward and away from jaw 158 about the axis ofshafts 166 which axis is located aproximately in the path of movement ofthe sandwich between jaws 158 and 162. The jaws are positioned forgripping the sandwich in the vicinity of rolls 70 and '72 and movingwith the carriage on which they are mounted in engagement with thesandwich to a posi tion remote from the pressure-applying rolls'forwithdrawing a predetermined length of the sandwich between thepressure-applying rolls.

Following withdrawal of a length of the sandwich including an exposedarea of the photosensitive sheet and a corresponding area of the secondsheet on which a transfer print is formed, the portion of the sandwichwithdrawn and including the print, must be severed from the remainder ofthe sandwich extending between the pressure-applying rolls so that thetwo sheets. comprising the sandwich may be separated from one another,and the print (a copy of the original document) may be utilized for itsintended purposes. Accordingly, the apparatus includes a cutting deviceassociated with the gripping means for severing the portion of thesandwich extending beyond the gripping means from the portion of thesandwich extending between the pressure-applying rolls and the grippingjaws. This cutting device comprises a rotary knife 168 including endmembers 17h on which the knife, which is at least equal in length to thewidth of the sheets, is mounted coaxially with gripping member 166 onshafts 166. The knife in the position shown in FIG. 2 is disposed to thesame side (upper) of the path of movement of the sandwich as jaw v162and includes a helical cutting edge positioned to out against a cornerof an anvil 172, equal in length to knife 16 8 and mounted on transversemember 152 adjacent jaw 158. Anvil 172 is mounted on transverse member1152 for pivotal movement of the cooperating corner of the anvil towardand away from knife 168 and is biased by spring means in a clockwisedirection (viewing PEG. 2) toward the knife. The end members 17dsupporting knife 163 include circular peripheries located in thecylindrical plane of movement of the cutting edge of the knife andcooperate with a face of the anvil at the corner thereof for locatingthe anvil in proper position with respect to the cutting edge of theknife.

The gripping and cutting device includes a movable lever 174 comprisinga pair of arms 176 each pivotally mounted at one end on a lateralsupport member 15% for rotation about an axis parallel with and adjacentthe axis of knife 168. Mounted on the opposite ends of arms 176 is aconnecting member 178 located outside of the apparatus in juxtapositionwith outer end section 156 and located on the opposite side of the pathof movement of the sandwich from end section 156. At least one of arms1'76 is provided on its end with a sector gear 18% meshed with a pinion182 keyed to one of shafts 166 so that rotary movement of lever 1'74(viewing FIG. 2) is transmitted to the knife rotating the latter in aclockwise direction. In the operation of the outing and gripping device,end section 156 and connecting member 173 are grasped manually to pivotmovable lever 174 toward end section 156 of transverse member 152. Thisin turn causes pivotal movement of the knife and the movable grippingmember 160 toward anvil 172 and gripping jaw 158. Movable gripping jaw162 is connected to the knife through a torsion spring 177 seated in arecess in end member 1'70. Spring 177 biases jaw 162 in a clockwisedirection viewing FIG. 2, movement of the latter relative to the knifebeing limited by a pin 179 on member 170 engaged in a sector-shapedrecess 181 in arm 164. By virtue of this construction, jaw 162 movesahead of the cutting edge of the knife and grips the end of the sandwichextending beyond rolls 7d and 72 and the movable and fixed gripping jawsand comes to a stop while rotation of the knife continues. Any part ofthe sandwich extending past the corner of anvil 172 between the latterand the knife is severed from the portion of the sandwich engagedbetween jaws 162 and 158. The outer end section 156 of transverse member152 and connecting member 178 of lever 174 also provide means which canbe engaged manually for moving carriage 148 and the gripping and cuttingdevice mounted thereon from the position shown in FIG. 2 away from rolls70 and 72 to draw the sandwich gripped between jaws 162 and 158 betweenrolls 7 and 72.

The apparatus includes means for mounting the carriage for reciprocalmovement toward and away from the pressure-applying rolls. These meansalso determine the distance through which the carriage is moved andhence the length of the sandwich advanced between the pressure-applyingmembers. The length of the sandwich, as previously noted, is at leastequal to the length of an exposed area of the photosensitive sheet to betreated and a run-out length equal approximately to the length of theportion of the photosensitive sheet extending between the knife andguide roll 74 when the carriage is in the I0 retracted position shown inFIGS. 2, 11 and 12. The means for supporting the carriage for reciprocalmovement comprise two sets of extensible supporting tracks mounted onopposite sides/of the apparatus with the carriage supported between thesets of tracks. Each set of tracks comprises three individual tracksincluding a fixed track 184 having a G-Shaped cross section comprisingupper and lower guides the mounted on base plate 36 adjacent a sideplate 38 or iii; an intermediate track 138 having a C-shaped crosssection slidably engaged between upper and lower guides 186 of fixedtrack 184 and including upper and lower guides 19d; and an end track 192including upper and lower edges 194 slidably engaged between upper andlower guides 19% of intermediate track 183. To facilitate telescopingmovement of the tracks with respect to one another, the upper and lowerguides, the fixed and intermediate tracks and the upper and lower edgesof the end tracks are provided with matching grooves 11% for containingball bearings 19%. The upper and lower guides ten of fixed track 184 andedges 194 of end track 192 are each provided with a single groove 1%with the grooves in the upper and lower guides 186 of the fixed trackfacing one another and being in the lower and upper surfacesrespectively of the upper and lower guides while the grooves in theupper and lower edges respectively of end track 1% face away from oneanother. The upper and lower guides 19%) of intermediate track 188 areeach provided with two grooves in opposite surfaces located in alignmentwith corresponding grooves in the fixed and end tracks. The number ofballs provided in each pair of grooves 1% in adjacent portions of thetracks are sufficient to fill approximately one third of the length ofthe grooves and cooperate with stop pins at the ends of the grooves forlimiting the extension of the telescoping tracks. The stop pinsdesignated 2% include pins on the outer ends of the grooves in upper andlower guides 86; on the inner ends of the grooves in the upper and lowerfaces of upper and lower guides 1% respectively; on the outer ends ofthe grooves in the lower and upper faces of upper and lower guides 1%respectively; and in the inner ends of grooves in upper and lower edges194. Carriage 148 is supported between end tracks 192,

and the length of the tracks and the dimensions of the carriage are suchthat in the retracted position of the tracks, the tracks and carriageare located almost entirely within the housing of the apparatus with nomore than the outer section of the carriage and outer end section 156and connecting member 178 projecting from the housing beyond theoverhanging section thereof and end wall 20.

Means are provided for controlling the relative movement of the varioustelescoping tracks during extension and retraction thereof; and, in theform shown, comprise latch members 2&2 mounted within the apparatusintermediate their ends for pivotal movement about studs 2&4 supportedon side plates 38 and 49. Each of latch members 2d2 includes adownwardly facing engagement notch 2&6 at its inner end and an upwardlyfacing engagement notch 26% at its outer end with a raised cam section21% located intermediate stud 2M and notch 298. Each of latch members202 is biased by a spring (in a counterclockwise direction viewing FIGS.11 through 15) so that notch 2% is biased downwardly and notch 208 isurged upwardly. The notches are designed to engage pins on theintermediate and end tracks for holding the intermediate tracksstationary until the end tracks are fully extended and then permittingextension of the intermediate tracks; and for retaining the intermediatetracks fully extended until the end tracks have been retracted and thenreleasing the intermediate tracks for retraction. Each of theintermediate tracks includes a pin 212 located near its outer ends andengaged in notches 268 when the intermediate track is in retractedposition (see FIGS. 11 and 12). Each of the end tracks includes a pin214 located near its inner end and in the retracted position of both theintermediate and end tracks, in the vicinity of end wall 13. During thelatter portion of the movement of end tracks 192 into extended position,pins 214 engage cam sections 21d of latches 262, as shown in FIG. 15,depressing the latches to permit disengagement of pins 212 from notches268 thereby allowing the intermediate tracks to move into extendedpositions. The intermediate tracks are provided near their inner endwith pins 216 which ride under the inner ends of latches 262 (as shownin FIG. 13), which are inclined for this purpose, and become engaged innotches 206 when the intermediate tracks are in extended position asshown in FIG. 14. Notches 286 and pins 216 cooperate to preventretraction of intermediate tracks 188 until the latches are released,this being accomplished by retracting end tracks 192 until pins 214engage cam sections 210 pivoting latches 202 to disengage pins 216 fromnotches 2%. Thereafter retraction of the intermediate tracks and the endtracks is continued until complete; and, just prior to termination ofthe retracting movement of the intermediate tracks, pins 212 ride overand duplicate the outer ends of the latches, which are sloped for thispurpose, and become engaged in notches 298 where they cooperate with thenotches to retain the intermediate tracks against extension untilreleased as previously described.

As the sandwich is withdrawn between rolls 70 and 72 through withdrawalopening 35 in end wall 33, the photosensitive sheet is still sensitiveto light and should remain in a light-free environment until formationof the transfer image is complete. This period termed an imbibitionperiod may vary from a few seconds to a minute or more and is preferablyas short as possible. Accordingly, the apparatus includes meansproviding a lighttight environment into which the sandwich is withdrawnbetween the pressure-applying rolls. These means comprise a housingassociated with carriage 143 and including side walls 218 locatedoutside of and closely adjacent lateral support members lEtL'upper wall220 extending between side walls 218 and a lower wall 222 also extendingbetween side walls 218 and cooperating with the latter and upper wall220 to provide a passage 224 through which the sandwich is movable. Thehousing, mounted on the carriage, is connected to end wall 33 of housingill by an extensible bellows 226 secured at one end to end wall 33surrounding withdrawal opening 35 and connected at its other end to sidewalls 218, upper wall 220 and lower wall 222. The bellows cooperateswith housing and the housing on the carriage to provide an extensiblechamber between the carriage and housing \10 into which the sandwich iswithdrawn from the housing through opening 35. Connecting member 178 isconstructed to function as a closure for passage 224 when pivoted towardouter end section 11.56 of transverse member 152 by the simultaneousgrasping of outer end section 1156 and connecting member 1178 forsimultaneously gripping a portion of the sandwich extending past anvil172. The carriage is then moved away from housing 10 withdrawing thesandwich into the chamber defined by bellows 226 and passage 224.Movement of the carriage is continued until the carriage reaches itsfully extended position; and, depending on the length of the imbibitionperiod required, transverse member 152 is held in its downward positionagainst end section 156 until the imbibition period has expired.Thereafter, the carriage is returned to its retracted position shown inFIG. '2 where the portion of the sandwich including an exposed area ofthe photosensitive sheet and a print on the second sheet may be severedby again squeezing connecting member 178 toward end section 156.

Extensible means are provided in the apparatus for supporting theportion of the sandwich extending from the gripping jaws to rolls 70 and72 particularly during the return movement of the carriage from itsextended to its retracted position so that the sandwich does not buckleand prevent return movement of the carriage. In the form shown, theselast-mentioned means comprise a pair of X-springs 228 located betweenpressure-applying rolls 70 and 72 and gripping jaws 15S and 162 aboveand below the path of movement of the sandwich between the rolls andgripping jaws. Each of the X-springs, comprising a pair of coil springssecured to one another at their midsections, is secured at two legswithin housing 16 and its other two legs to lateral support members 150of the carriage.

The treatment of the image-recording sheet involves the distribution ofa quantity of processing liquid in contact with the surfaces of thephotosensitive and second sheets; and, in most cases, a quantity of theliquid remains between the sheets at the bite of the pressure-applyingrolls after areas of the two sheets being treated have been advancedbetween the pressure-applying rolls. Accordingly, provision is made forcollecting and retaining this excess liquid so that it isnot'distributed onto the next successive areas of the sheets to t etreated. Collection and retention of the processing liquid isaccomplished by spacing roll 70 apart from roll 72 during the terminalportion of the movement of the sandwich between the rolls after theareas of the two sheets being treated have passed between the rolls.Roll '79 is mounted on means permitting movement thereof toward and awayfrom roll 72 and comprising a pair of arms 236 each pivotally mounted atone end on a stud 232 mounted on a side plate 38 or 40. Roll '70 ismounted at its ends between the free ends of arm and includes shafts atits ends extending through openings in side plates 38 and 40. Roll 70 isbiased toward roll 72 by a pair of springs 234 each engaged at one endwith arm 230 and at its other end with the side plate on which the armis mounted.

Movement of roll 7t) apart from roll '72 in order to collect and retainthe processing liquid is controlled by the movement of the carriage andparticularly by the extensible tracks which support the carriage formovement. The apparatus includes a pair of control levers 236 eachmounted at its upper end on a hub 242 mounted on an end of a shaft 238extending between and through side plates 38 and 40 and journaled forpivotal movement in the side plates. Mounted on the lower end of eachlever 236 is a pin 240 which projects outwardly into the path ofmovement of a bar 241 on an inner end section of one of intermediatetracks 183 in position to be engaged by bar 241 during. the terminalportion of the movement of the track into extended position wherebylever 236 is pivoted from the initial position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12in a counterclockwise direction through an intermediate position, shownin FIG. 13, to a terminal position shown in FIG. 14.

Levers 236 are biased by resilient means (not shown) into the initialposition shown in FIG. 11 and are pivoted by the intermediate tracksagainst the bias of this means. Mounted on each of arms-230 intermediatethe ends of the arm is a cam follower 244 pivoted at one end to the armand having a V-shaped downwardly projecting cam engagement section withan apex lying closest to the pivot designated 246. Cam follower 244 isbiased by a spring 249 in a clockwise direction, viewing FIGS. 11through 15, so that the free end of the cam follower rests against astop pin 250 mounted on arm 230'. Hub 242 is provided with a cam 252movable in an arc intersecting apex 246 of cam follower 244 from therest position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 (at the right of apex 246)through an intermediate position shownin FIG. 13 in which cam 252 andapex 246 are in engagement to a terminal position shown in FIG. 14 atwhich the cam is located to the left of the cam follower. The design ofthe cam follower and particularly the apex thereof is such that movementof the cam in engagement with the follower from right to left, asdescribed, causes pivotal movement of arm 230 in a clockwise directionthereby spacing roll 70 apart from roll 72 during the pivotal movementof lever 236 at the terminal portion of the extending movement of theintermediate, track. When the intermediate track is returned to itsretracted position and pin 240 is disengaged from bar 241, lever 236pivots under the bias of a resilient means in a clockwise direction toits initial position; and the design of cam follower 244 permits cam 252to pivot cam follower 244, during return movement of the cam and controllever, without pivoting arm 230.

Movement of the tracks and carriage into extended position also releasescrank 13?. for return movement in a clockwise direction to the initialposition of the crank shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 thereby permittingcompression member v126, which cooperates with backing member 124, tocompress a container of processing liquid, to pivot away from thebacking member and thereby permit the introduction of another containerinto the apparatus at the commencement of exposure and processing of thenext successive area of the photosensitive sheet. For this purpose, hub242 is provided with a second cam 254 having a path of movementintersecting pin 146 on the lower end of latch member 140. Cam 254engages pin 146 to pivot latch member 140 in a clockwise direction asshown in FIG. 13 disengaging pin 144 from arm 134 of crank 132 to allowthe latter to rotate in a clockwise direction until arm 1361 comes torest against earn 128 as shown in FIG. 14.

By virtue of the construction shown and described, the pressure-applyingrolls are spaced apart from one another momentarily during .the terminalportion of withdrawal movement of the sandwich thereby trappingprocessing liquid between portions of the photosensitive and secondsheets at the trailing edge of the exposed and processed area of thephotosensitive sheet. These portions of the sheets between which theprocessing liquid is retained are located, when the sandwich comes torest, intermediate gripping jaws 158 and 162 and pressureapplying rolls7t) and 72, and hence at the leading edge of the next successive areasof the sheets to be exposed and processed so that these portions or" thesheets are withdrawn at the leading end of the sandwich when the nextsuccessive areas are processed by withdrawal between rolls 7% and 72.Provision is made in the apparatus for severing the portion of thesandwich containing an exposed area and a transfer print, and include astop for arresting the return movement of the carriage from its fullyextended position at an intermediate position in which the knife 168 andanvil 172 are located adjacent the leading edge of the processed areasof the sheets intermediate the leading edge thereof and the mass ofliquid collected between the sheets. At this point, connecting member178 may be pivoted toward outer end section res to sever the end sectionof the sandwich containing the processing liquid from the remainder ofthe sandwich containing the transfer print. The means for arresting themovement of the carriage in a partially retracted position includelevers 256 each mounted in a recess 253 in the side of an end track 192.Each of levers 256 is mounted for pivotal movement, intermediate itsends, about a pin 26% engaged in a slot 262 in the intermediate portionof the lever so as to allow for axial as well as pivotal movement of thelever. Lever 255 is biased for axial movement in the return direction ofthe tracks by a U-shaped spring 264 engaged between an end of lever 56and the end wall of recess 258 furthest from the housing; and is biasedfor pivotal movement in a counterclockwise direction, viewing FIG. 16,by a spring 266 engaged between the opposite end of lever 256 and thebottom wall of recess 258. A projection 268 is provided on the end oflever 256 closest to the housing, and spring 266 biases lever 256outwardly so that projection 263 extends beyond the surface of end track192 and during return movement of the end track with respect tointermediate track 138, engages the end of intermediate track 188preventing retraction of the end track into the intermediate track. Whenprojection 268 becomes engaged with the end of the intermediate track,lever 256 is displaced against spring 264. The end of lever 256 oppositeprojection 268 is provided with an inwardly projecting cam section 279which is engaged by an arm 176 of movable lever 174 when the movablelever is pivoted to actuate knife 168. This causes pivotal movement ofever 255 in a clockwise direction withdrawing projection 268 into recess258 from engagement with the end of intermediate track 18% allowinglever 256 to move to the left, viewing FIG. 16, under the bias of spring264 thus locating projection 263 within recess 25% between track 192 andtrack 188 so that end track 192 may thereafter be retracted into track188 following release of movable lever lid for return movement to itsinitial position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings. The carriageis then moved to its fully retracted position, and lever 17 iis againpivoted .to sever the portion of the sandwich containing a transfer fromthe portion of the sandwich extending between the pressure-applyingrolls. Each of intermediate tracks 18% is provided with an opening 27 -1for engaging projection 263 when the tracks are in the fully retractedposition shown in FIG. 11 preventing extension of end track 192. Thisconstruction thereby functions to restrain the carriage against movementuntil movable lever 174 is pivoted moving the gripping jaws togetherinto engagement with the sandwich and actuating the knife thus assuringextension of the carriage only when an end of the sandwich has beengripped between jaws 158 and 162.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In photographic apparatus in which successive areas of aphotosensitive sheet are photoexposed and predetermined lengths of saidphotosensitive sheet including said areas are moved between a pair ofjuxtaposed members which superpose a second sheet with saidphotosensitive sheet and distribute a processing liquid between saidsheets to form a sandwich, in combination:

engagement means for gripping said sandwich adjacent said juxtaposedmembers;

support means mounting said engagement means for movement toward andaway from said juxtaposed members; and

control means for predeterminedly limiting the distance through whichsaid engagement means can move way from said juxtaposed members whilegripping said sandwich.

2. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said engagement meansinclude gripping members for engaging opposite sides of said sandwichand actuating members for moving said gripping members into engagementwith said sandwich, and said actuating members are disposed exteriorlyof said apparatus so as to permit said actuating elements to be engagedand operated manually for moving said gripping members into engagementwith said sandwich and withdrawing a predetermined length of saidsandwich between said juxtaposed members.

3. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said apparatusincludes a housing enclosing said juxtaposed members and an extensiblehousing enclosing said gripping members and providing an extensiblechamber into which said sandwich is drawn by said gripping members.

4. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 including cutting meansfor severing said sandwich at a location closely adjacent saidengagement means at the side thereof furthest from said juxtaposedmembers.

5. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which said cuttingmeans are mounted in conjunction with said engagement means for movementtoward and away from said juxtaposed members.

closely 6. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said controlmeans include means for urging said engagement means toward saidjuxtaposed members.

7. In photographic apparatus in which successive areas of aphotosensitive sheet are photoex-posed and predetermined lengths of saidphotosensitive sheet including said areas are moved between a pair ofjuxtaposed members which superpose a second sheet with saidphotosensitive sheet and distribute a processing liquid between saidsheets to form a sandwich, in combination:

cutting means for severing a section of said sandwich from anothersection of said sandwich extending between said members, at a locationadjacent said juxtaposed members;

engagement means for gripping said sandwich between said cutting meansand said juxtaposed members;

support means mounting said engagement means for movement toward andaway from said juxtaposed members; and

control means for predeterminedly limiting the distance through whichsaid engagement means can move away from said juxtaposed members whilegripping said sandwich.

8. The photographic apparatus of claim 7 in which said support meansinclude a support member movable toward and away from said juxtaposedmembers, said engagement means and said cutting means are mounted onsaid support member, and said control means cooperate with said supportmember to limit the movement thereof.

' 9. The photographic apparatus of claim 7 in which said control meanspermits movement of said engagement means between a first position atwhich said engagement means are positioned for gripping said sandwichclosely adjacent said juxtaposed members and a second position at whichsaid engagement means are predeterminedly spaced from said juxtaposedmembers.

-10. In photographic apparatus in which a pair of sheets are drawn insuperposition between a pair of juxtaposed members for distributing aliquid between said sheets to form a sandwich, in combination:

cutting means for severing a first section of said isandwich fromanother section of said sandwich extending between said members;

engagement means for gripping said other section of said sandwich at theend thereof at which said sandwich is severed;

a support mounting said cutting means and said engagement meansfor'm'ovement toward and away from said members between a first positionat which said cutting means are positioned for severing said sandwichadjacent said members and said engagement.

' means are positioned for gripping said other section of said sandwich,and a second position at which said means are predetenminedly spacedfrom said members; and

means mounted on said support and coupled with said cutting means andsaid engagement means for actuating said means to sever said firstsection of said sandwich from said other section of said sandwich andgrip said other section for drawing a predetermined length of saidsandwich between said juxtaposed members during movement of said meansfrom said first to said second position. a

'11. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 10 including a housingenclosing said juxtaposed members and said cutting and engagement meanswhen the latter are in said first position; and extendable means coupledwith said housing and said support for providing a chamber enclosingsaid cutting and engagement means when the latter are displaced fromsaid first position.

12. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said cuttingand engagement means each comprise a pair of elements which arc inopposition to one another to, respectively, cut and grip said sandwich,and said apparatus includes means for locating said sandwich betweensaid elements of'each of said pairs.

13. The photographic apparatus of claim 10 in which said engagementmeans include a pair of gripping members for. engaging opposite sides ofsaid other section of said sandwich and actuating members for movingsaid gripping members into engagement with said sandwich, and saidactuating members are disposed exteriorly of said apparatus permittingsaid actuating members to be engaged and operate manually for movingsaid gripping members into engagement with said sandwich and withdrawinga predetermined length of said sandwich between said juxtaposed members.

References (fitted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSDisclaimer 3,103,866.Nan Gufhrz'e Budde, Tenncck NJ. PH

RATUS. Patent dated Sept. 17, 1963. Disclaimer file by the assignee,Polaroid Uorpomtion. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1 and 2 ofsaid patent. [Ofiicz'al Gazette May 10, 1966.]

OTOGRAPHIC APPA- d Nov. 1,1965,

1. IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS IN WHICH SUCCESSIVE AREA OF APHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET ARE PHOTOEXPOSED AND PREDETERMINED LENGTHS OF SAIDPHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET INCLUDING SAID AREA ARE MOVED BETWEEN A PAIR OFJUXTAPOSED MEMBERS WHICH SUPERPOSE A SECOND SHEET WITH SAIDPHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET AND DISTRIBUTE A PROCESSING LIQUID BETWEEN SAIDSHEETS TO FORM A SANDWICH, IN COMBINATION: ENGAGEMENT MEANS FOR GRIPPINGSAID SANDWICH CLOSELY ADJACENT SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS; SUPPORT MEANSMOUNTING SAID ENGAGEMENT MEANS FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAIDJUXTAPOSED MEMBERS; AND CONTROL MEANS FOR PREDETERMINEDLY LIMITING THEDISTANCE THROUGH WHICH SAID ENGAGEMENT MEANS CAN MOVE AWAY FROM SAIDJUXTAPOSED MEMBERS WHILE GRIPPING SAID SANDWICH.